Austin Butler, Ansel Elgort, Harry Styles, Aaron Taylor Johnson & Miles Teller have screen tested to play iconic singer Elvis Presley in Baz Luhrmann’s upcoming biopic for Warner Bros, an individual with knowledge of the project tells TheWrap. Other contenders who met for the role include rapper G-Eazy aka Gerald Gillum.
Tom Hanks is currently in talks to play Elvis Presley’s manager Colonel Tom Parker.
Luhrmann, who is set to direct, wrote the script with Craig Pearce with whom he also wrote “The Great Gatsby” and “Moulin Rouge!” The script will not be based on any pre-existing material. While the project is believed to be a biopic, it’s unclear which periods of Presley’s life would be depicted in the film.
Luhrmann is producing along with his wife Catherine Martin. They have both have been developing the project since the director wrapped up his last film, 2013’s “The Great Gatsby.” Gail Berman is producing for Tecumseh Productions.
WB executive Patrick McCormick will oversee the project on behalf of the studio.
Butler will next be seen in “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,” Elgort is currently shooting the remake of “West Side Story” for Steven Spielberg, Teller will next be seen in “Top Gun: Maverick,” and former One Direction headliner Styles was last seen in “Dunkirk.”
Warner Bros. had no comment.
